Donnie "Beezer" Smith

Donald Ray Smith (September 17, 1924 – July 8, 2022), better known as Donnie "Beezer" Smith, was an American child actor. He appeared in the Our Gang film short series during the silent Pathé era, playing the role of Beezer between 1928 and 1929.

Donnie "Beezer" Smith
Born(1924-09-17)September 17, 1924
Kern County, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 2022(2022-07-08) (aged 97)
Dade City, Florida, U.S.
OccupationChild actor
Years active1928–1929

Life and career

Smith was born in Kern County, California on September 17, 1924.[1] The son of a labourer, he was one of five siblings. His older brother, Jay R. Smith, appeared in the Our Gang short films between 1925 and 1929.[2][3]

His Our Gang credits include Fair and Muddy (1928),[1] Little Mother (1929),[4] Boxing Gloves (1929),[5] and Cat, Dog & Co. (1929).[6]

Smith died in Dade City, Florida on July 8, 2022, at the age of 97.[1] At the time of his death, Smith was one of three known surviving actors from the silent film era, along with Mildred Kornman (1925–2022) and Garry Watson (born 1928).[7]

References
  1. "Donnie 'Beezer' Smith". Lord Heath. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  2. "Slaying victim was 'Our Gang' actor – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun Newspaper. 22 October 2002. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. Klepper, Robert K. (2015). Silent Films, 1877–1996: A Critical Guide to 646 Movies. McFarland. p. 501. ISBN 978-1-4766-0484-8. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  4. Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1976). The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. p. 97. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  5. Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. Crown. p. 87.
  6. Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926–1959. McFarland. 10 July 2022. p. 100. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  7. "'Our Gang' Actress, '40s Fashion Model Mildred Kornman Dies at 97". Extra TV. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
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